Post on 12-May-2020
THE BJCP EXAM FOR DUMMIES 2013
6/23/2013 Page 3 of 62
TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................................... 4
HOW YOUR BJCP SCORE IS DERIVED ................................................................................................ 6
BJCP WRITTEN PROFICIENCY EXAM................................................................................................. 8
SECTION 1 (BJCP/ETHICS/JUDGING PROCESS) ............................................................................... 10
SECTION 2 – ESSAY PORTION ............................................................................................................ 11
1. DESCRIBE AND DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN DIFFERENT STYLES ............................................ 11
2. TROUBLESHOOTING ............................................................................................................................ 13
T.1. Describe and discuss the following three beer characteristics .................................................... 13
T.3. What are body and mouthfeel? ....................................................................................................... 16
3. INGREDIENTS ......................................................................................................................................... 19
T.4. Discuss hops, describing their characteristics ................................................................................ 19
T.8. Discuss the importance of water characteristics in the brewing process ....................................... 18
T.15. This question addresses two separate ingredients, malt and yeast. ............................................ 21
4. THE BREWING PROCESS...................................................................................................................... 22
T.9. Describe the brewing techniques. A) Kräuesening B) Adding Gypsum C) Fining. .................... 22
T.10. What is meant by the terms "hot break" and "cold break"? ..........Error! Bookmark not defined.
T.11. Describe and explain the role of diastatic and proteolytic enzymes ............................................ 24
T.13. Describe what happens during the mashing process .................................................................... 24
T.14. Provide a complete ALL-GRAIN recipe ..................................................................................... 27
BJCP TASTE EXAM ................................................................................................................................ 366
THE SCORESHEET – THE SECTIONS YOU WRITE FOR EACH BEER .......................................... 36
HOW THE GRADERS GRADE THE TASTE SECTION ...................................................................... 36
APPENDIX – Sample Text Questions ....................................................................................................... 41
SECTION 1. (BJCP/ETHICS/JUDGING PROCESS) ............................................................................. 42
SECTION 2 (STYLES/BREWING TECHNIQUES) ............................................................................. 488
S.0. Describe and differentiate beers from similar styles ...................................................................... 48
T.1.Describe and discuss the following beer characteristics. ................................................................ 49
T.3. What are body and mouthfeel? ....................................................................................................... 50
T.4. Discuss hops ................................................................................................................................... 51
T.8. Discuss the importance of water characteristics............................................................................. 52
T.9. Describe the brewing techniques. A) Kräuesening B) Adding Gypsum C) Fining. .................... 53
T.10. What is meant by the terms "hot break" and "cold break"? ......................................................... 54
T.11. Describe and explain the role of diastatic and proteolytic enzymes ............................................ 55
T.13. Explain what happens during the mashing process ...................................................................... 56
T.14. Provide a complete ALL-GRAIN recipe ..................................................................................... 57
T.15. This question addresses two separate ingredients, malt and yeast. ............................................ 58
COMBINED Possible (named) Section II Beers (64 beers) ..................................................................... 59
(Named) Beers/Meads/Ciders that WON'T be on the (ESSAY) test (33): ................................................ 60
Sample Lined page for exam ..................................................................................................................... 61
Page 4 of 62 6/23/2013
INTRODUCTION Updated: 6/23/2013
The BJCP EXAM FOR DUMMIES has one purpose – to help you get a passing score on the BJCP Beer
Tasting and Written Proficiency examinations. There are better texts available if you want to learn to brew
better beer, learn world beer styles, or learn how to taste and evaluate beer. The best use of this guide is to
help you cram in the last weeks before the exam. It will help to reinforce what you’ve already studied.
Here are several texts recommended to help you study for the BJCP exam:
• BJCP Style Guidelines http://www.bjcp.org/docs/2008_stylebook.pdf
• BJCP Study Guide http://www.bjcp.org/docs/BJCP_Study_Guide.pdf
• BJCP Judge Procedures Manual http://www.bjcp.org/docs/Judge_Procedures_Manual.pdf
• BJCP Judge Instructions http://www.bjcp.org/docs/SCP_JudgeInstructions.pdf
• BJCP Beer Score Sheet http://www.bjcp.org/docs/SCP_BeerScoreSheet.pdf
• Competition Cover Sheet http://www.bjcp.org/docs/SCP_CoverSheet.pdf
• How to Judge Beer http://www.bjcp.org/docs/How_to_Judge_Beer.pdf
• BJCP Beer Faults Trouble-shooter http://www.bjcp.org/docs/Beer_faults.pdf
• BJCP Exam Cover Sheet http://www.bjcp.org/forms/Exam_Cover_Sheet.pdf
• BJCP Exam Score Sheet http://www.bjcp.org/forms/Examinee_Scoresheets.pdf
• BJCP FAQ http://www.bjcp.org/bjcpfaq.php
• BJCP Members Guide http://www.bjcp.org/membergd.php
• Classic Styles Spreadsheet http://www.bjcp.org/docs/classicstyles.xls
• Exemplary BJCP Score Sheets
- http://www.bjcp.org/docs/examscore1.pdf
- http://www.bjcp.org/docs/examscore2.pdf
- http://www.bjcp.org/docs/examscore3.pdf
- http://www.bjcp.org/docs/examscore4.pdf
- http://www.bjcp.org/docs/examscore5.pdf
- http://www.bjcp.org/docs/examscore6.pdf
• Homebrewing Vol. 1, by Al Korzonas
• Dave Miller’s Homebrewing Guide or The Complete Handbook of Home Brewing, by Dave Miller
• How to Brew, by John Palmer ( http://howtobrew.com )
• Beer Companion, by Michael Jackson
• Classic Beer Style Series, by Brewers Publications
• New Brewing Lager Beer, by Greg Noonan
• Principles of Brewing Science, by George Fix
• Designing Great Beers, by Ray Daniels
• Troubleshooting Special Issue, 1987 Zymurgy (vol. 10, no. 4)
Finally, this is NOT an official BJCP document – though it is based on my experience and the experience
of many others I have had the pleasure to work with in the BJCP, including but not limited to Grand Master
V Judge Steve Piatz, Grand Master II Judge Kris England, National Judge Andrew Ruggles, National Judge
Jonathan Crist, and National Judge Gera Exire LaTour, who have worked diligently over the last several
years to make the Minnesota Home Brewers Association BJCP Exam Prep Course one of the best in the
nation. Also thanks to Scott Bickham, GrandMaster III judge for editing this edition of this document.
Finally, thanks to you all for your dedication in helping the hundreds of Beer Judges who have taken our
class reach their goals in the BJCP.
- Al Boyce, June 23, 2013
THE BJCP EXAM FOR DUMMIES 2013
6/23/2013 Page 5 of 62
HOW YOUR BJCP SCORE IS DERIVED THE BJCP BEER ENTRANCE EXAM - ONLINE
The Beer Entrance Exam is an online 200-question, one-hour T/F, multiple choice, and multiple answer test – it is pass/fail.
Once you pass the online Beer Entrance Exam, you are qualified to take the BJCP Beer Tasting
Exam.
THE BJCP BEER TASTING EXAM
The BJCP Beer Tasting Exam consists of judging 6 beers in 90 minutes.
Your BJCP Rank will be initially be determined by your score on the Beer Tasting Exam – up to a maximum of Certified.
Your Tasting score will be preserved in the BJCP Database, and should you choose to advance beyond the Certified rank, will be averaged with your BJCP Written Proficiency Exam to determine
your score for rank advancement purposes.
You may retake the BJCP Beer Tasting Exam whenever it is available to improve your score.
THE BJCP WRITTEN PROFICIENCY EXAM
To advance beyond the Certified rank, you must take the BJCP Written Proficiency Essay Exam – it consists of 20 multiple-choice questions and 5 essay questions in a 90-minute time frame.
To qualify to be able to take this exam, you must have at least 10 judging points, and a score of at least 80% on the BJCP Tasting Exam.
You rank is determined by averaging the score on the Written Proficiency Exam and the Beer
Tasting Exam
50% each from your score on the Beer Tasting Exam and the Written Proficiency Exam (i.e. - 70% on essay, 60% on taste: (70 x 0.5) + (60 x 0.5) = 35 + 30 = 65 Total Score)
Score Guidelines:
<60: Little knowledge of brewing and/or styles, and/or insufficient communication skills to be a judge.
Generally has weak tasting skills.
60s: A basic grasp of fundamentals. May have some big knowledge gaps, but still knows most of the
basics. Has an acceptable minimum communication and judging skills.
70s: Knows basics well enough not to have to take the test again to be called “Certified.” Test can have
errors and small gaps in answers. Depth in answers is not necessary.
80s: Good knowledge of all subjects. Some errors allowable, but no significant gaps. Some depth
indicated. Taste and essay portions should show similar ability.
90s: Excellent knowledge level. No significant errors, and no gaps. Good depth to answers. Obviously
an experienced beer taster. Shows evidence of independent thought.
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IN GENERAL: Bring mechanical pencils, not a pen. Wood pencils have an aroma that will mess up your senses.
Bring an extra mechanical pencil or two in case you run out of lead. Erase cleanly if you make a
mistake. If you used a pen, it makes it ugly to clean up mistakes. Cross-outs are very difficult to
read when grading, and you’re bound to lose points for legibility. Speaking of which….
Bring an Eraser. See above. Fully erase all mistakes and the graders won’t get confused.
Bring a simple calculator. Cell phones, iPods, iPhones, and other gizmos with “memory” will not be allowed. Just bring one that can add, subtract, multiply and divide.
Bring a ruler – draw quarter to half-inch borders on all of your pages and DON’T write outside of them. Use it to neatly draw your grids also. This can be done prior to the start of the exam.
Bring a watch. Again, no devices with “memory”. You have 90 minutes in which to answer 20 multiple choice questions and five essay questions. 90 divided by 6 equals about 15 minutes per
item. Do not allow yourself to go over fifteen minutes per item or you will run out of time.
Write Neatly! Print, instead of using cursive if you can. If the graders can’t read it, you’re not
going to get any points no matter HOW GOOD your answer is!
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BJCP WRITTEN PROFICIENCY EXAM 20 T/F QUESTIONS, 5 ESSAY QUESTIONS (worth 50% of your total score)
Just before the exam: if you have time, cram on names of Commercial Examples. It’s only one point, but its one point on twor different questions. Memorize only ONE for each style. There are
no bonus points for two!
Don’t sweat the statistics. They’re NOT required on the classic examples questions, and on the
recipe question, they are only ONE point.
Pre-label your blank pages - write the question numbers at the top left hand corner of each
page for Section 2, questions 1 – 8 (question 9 is a form that is provided for you, as are the
questions for Section 1.) Write “Q.1. Page 1 of ___”. This allows you to start easily at any
question you like. This page incrementor is for the PAGE only, so if you only use one page, it will
read “Q.1. Page 1 of 1”. You can do this, and the next two hints, before the Exam Administrator
tells you to start to help you get organized. (See “Sample Lined Page for Exam” in the Appendix.)
Pre-label the bottom-right corner of each page, inside your margins, with “PAGE ___ of ___”. Do NOT fill in either blank at this time! Do that last, after you’ve organized all of your questions in
the proper order. (See “Sample Lined Page for Exam” in the Appendix.)
At the top right corner of each page write your participant number. It will be the last two digits of the year, the two-digit month code, the two-character State Code abbreviation, a two letter
city code and an incremental participant number. For example, an exam given in New York, NY on
6/17/2007 for examinee #3 would be 0706-NYNY-03. Your exam admin will assign you this
number.
Start a new page for each question. The Exam Admin will gladly give you more paper if you
need it.
Spend a few seconds to underline each of the elements of each question on the test pages themselves. This will aid you in constructing your grids, and will help you not to skip any details
required by the question.
Try to answer each question on a single page, but if you need more pages, don’t forget to pre-label them with the characteristics listed above.
Don’t write on the back sides of the paper. This information may not be photocopied on the
pages that are sent to the graders, and hence may not be graded.
Create Grids for your answers. If there are three of a thing (styles, malt types, etc), put them across the top as column heads. Put the characteristics for those things down the side as row heads
(i.e., Style Name, Aroma, Appearance, Flavor, Mouthfeel, Distinguishing Characteristics, Classic
Example, Similarities, Differences)
Bullet answers to questions inside the grids are not only allowed, but encouraged! Shows organization in your answer
Allows you to answer more quickly than if you were writing lengthy descriptions
Can cram in more info than if writing full prose sentences
If you write SOMETHING in each cell of the grid, you’re likely to get at least partial credit.
Much easier for the grader to review
See?
There are two types of questions on the BJCP Exam –“Technical” and “Style”
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The “Style” questions REQUIRE that you address the four objective categories from the
tasting section about EACH BEER on the question:
Aroma
Appearance
Flavor
Mouthfeel
Use all of the sub-section “helper” words from the BJCP score sheet when you are describing
each of these elements. For example, for APPEARANCE, comment on:
Color
Head Clarity
Head Color
Head Texture
Head Duration
Guessing – DO it! Leaving a question blank guarantees that you’ll get no points for it. You don’t get negative points for guessing wrong, and you MIGHT get it right! Good things to guess:
Aroma: guess “grainy, sweet malty aroma, slight floral hop nose”
Appearance: guess “thin off-white head, small bubbles, yellow color”
Flavor: guess “grainy, sweet malty flavor, slight floral hop flavor”
Mouthfeel: guess “Medium body, moderate carbonation, mild alcohol warmth, no
astringency, no creaminess”
READ THE EXAM COVER SHEET CAREFULLY! Some instructions for the test are stated in the Cover Sheet of the exam, and are equally valid as if they were asked in the question itself.
(Cover sheet below is from the BJCP website as of 6/23/2012 – underlines are mine).
THE BJCP EXAM FOR DUMMIES 2013
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COVER SHEET
Exam Cover Sheet and Instructions
PARTICIPANT CODE NUMBER – YYMM-StCy__
Written Proficiency Exam: Answer the questions completely, but don't be
verbose. The challenge is to organize your thoughts and express them
well in a 90-minute time period. For a passing score, beer
style descriptions must include the aroma, appearance, flavor, and
mouthfeel descriptions as in the BJCP Style Guidelines. If time
permits, for maximum credit, a more complete answer should consider
the history of the style, geography, commercial examples, style
parameters, unique ingredients, and fermentation techniques and
conditions. When a question asks for a classic commercial example of a
style the correct answer is one of the styles listed in the BJCP Style
Guidelines.
Beer Judging Exam: Judge each beer as if you would at a competition,
providing complete and accurate descriptions of the aroma, appearance,
flavor and mouthfeel. If there are stylistic or technical errors,
provide constructive feedback to the brewer.
Both Exams:
Do NOT write your name on your answer sheets.
Only write on one side of the paper, back sides are not copied.
Written exam:
o Number all pages (1 of n, 2 of n. etc.).
o Start each question on a new sheet of paper.
Write firmly (with dark pencil/ink) to facilitate photocopying of
your exam.
Do not write to the very edge of the page since that will make it
difficult to photocopy the answer sheets and portions of your
answer may not get to the graders.
Please write neatly; handwriting is meant to be read, and not to
be solved.
Manage your time carefully!
GOOD LUCK!
On with the questions….
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SECTION 1 (BJCP/ETHICS/JUDGING PROCESS)
The Process/Ethics part of Section I is not worth any points, but rather there are deductions of 0.5
points for each incorrect selection, for a maximum penalty of 10 points if all selections were wrong.
For the following 20 questions circle the “T” if the statement is true or circle the “F” if the statement
is false.
….20 T/F questions will be listed here…
There are a pool of 124 T/F questions in the on pages 28-34 of the Aug.28, 2012 revision of the BJCP Beer
Exam Study Guide from which these questions will be drawn. Some of them may be rephrased to call for a
FALSE answer instead of a TRUE answer, or vice versa – so read carefully! For example, the following
question would have a TRUE answer:
T A competition organizer may serve as the judge director and may also serve as a judge, provided
this person has no knowledge of entries and entrants.
…but by negating the intent of the question, it would require a FALSE answer:
F A competition organizer may not serve as the judge director or as a judge, even if this person has
no knowledge of entries and entrants.
These are not “trick” questions – you just have to read them carefully. If you LEARN them (not just
MEMORIZE them), you will not get any penalties from this section.
THE BJCP EXAM FOR DUMMIES 2013
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SECTION 2 – ESSAY PORTION
The remainder of the written portion of the exam consists of five free-form essay questions, each worth
20% of the total essay score. They will be a combination of “Style” questions and “Troubleshooting”
questions, based on the idea that knowledge of brewing techniques is as important to a beer judge as
knowledge of beer styles
S.0. Describe and differentiate beers from similar styles
For each of the three styles style-1, style-2 and style-3, provide a statement describing the styles as well
as the difference and similarities between them by addressing each of the following topics:
8 points Describe the aroma, appearance, flavor and mouthfeel of each sub-style as in the BJCP Style
Guidelines.
5 points Identify at least one aspect of the ingredients (malts, hops, water chemistry) or background
information (history, fermentation techniques and conditions, or serving methods) that
distinguishes each style.
2 points For each of the styles name at least one classic commercial example as listed in the BJCP
Style Guidelines.
5 points Describe the similarities and differences between the three styles
Three beers will be given, usually from very similar categories of beer. The potential list of beers to be
compared is in the appendix of this study guide, under “COMBINED Possible (named) Section II
Beers.” Note: The “Classic Commercial Example” MUST BE one that is listed in the BJCP Style
Guidelines to get credit (also listed in the August 2010 revision of the BJCP Exam Study Guide.)
The easiest way to make sure you address all of the elements asked for in the question is to create a grid,
with the characteristics down the left side, and the three styles listed across the top. The elements of the
question are underlined in the question grid above. (Again, underlines are MINE – they will not be
underlined on the actual exam unless YOU do it – hint, hint.) Once you create your grid (a ruler helps…),
then all you have to do is “bullet” the appropriate information in each cell. DO NOT LEAVE ANY CELL
BLANK! It’s better for the aroma cell to guess either “malty” or “low malt” and “hoppy” or “no hop
aroma” than to skip it. The grader can’t give you partial credit – if you didn’t try to answer the question.
Under each major section of a score sheet (Aroma, Appearance, Flavor, Mouthfeel, and Overall) will be
several “key words” (i.e. under Aroma - malt, hops, esters, and other aromatics.) Try to address EACH of
those key words in your bullets for maximum points. On the next page is a sample answer to this question:
STYLE Dry Stout Strong Bitter (EPA) Robust Porter
AROMA * Roast accentuated
* Some coffee
* Slight chocolate
* No diacetyl
* Esters low to none
* Hops low to none
* Mod high to mod low
hops
* Med to Med high malt
* Low to moderately
strong caramel
* Med low to Med high
fruitiness
* Low diacetyl OK
* Slight sulfur/alcohol
OK
* Roasty, “burnt” malt
* Grainy, bready, toffee-
like, caramel, chocolate,
coffee OK
* Rich, sweet
* Hops low to high
* Fruitiness mod to none
* Diacetyl low to none
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APPEARANCE * Black to Brown
* Can be opaque, else clear
* Thick, creamy tan head,
long lasting
* Golden to deep copper
* Brilliantly clear
* White/off-white head
* Low head, dissipates
gradually
* Med to dark brown or
black
* Can be opaque, else
clear
* Full, tan head, lingers
FLAVOR * Moderate roast
* Optional acidic sour
* Med to high bitterness
* Dry, coffee like finish
* Bittersweet chocolate
* Med low to no fruitiness
* Med low to no hop flavor
* No diacetyl
* Med to med-high
bitterness
* Even balance malt-to-
hops, or slightly to bitter
* Supporting malt
* Moderately low to
strong caramel
sweetness
* Moderate to
moderately high hops
* Hops should not
dominate malt
* Nutty, biscuity
* Low sulfur, alcohol,
mineral OK
* Slight diacetyl OK
* Strong malt flavor
* Burnt, black malt
* Chocolate, coffee ok
* Roasty dry finish
* Dry to medium sweet
* Med to high bitterness
* Hop flavor low to
moderately high
* Diacetyl low to none
*Fruitiness moderate to
none
MOUTHFEEL * Med light to full body
* Creamy
* Low to Moderate
carbonation
* Light astringency from
roast grains
* Low alcohol warmth
* Med light to med full
body
* Low to moderate
carbonation
* Slight alcohol warmth
* No astringency
* No creaminess
* Med to med full body
* Moderately low to
mod high carbonation
* Slight alcohol warmth
* Slight astringency
from roast grains
* Slight creaminess OK
DISTINGUISH * Originally a fuller,
creamier version of London
Porter – no longer true
* Sometimes called “Irish”
Stout
* High gravity Bitter
* Often bottled vs.
casked
* Broad style, open to
interpretation
* Stronger, hoppier,
roastier version of Porter
* English version have
subtle English hops
* Malty, complex and
flavorful
CLASSIC Guinness Draught Stout Fuller’s ESB Anchor Porter
SIMILARITIES * 30+ IBU levels
* English Ingredients
* Malt emphasis
* Dark like Porter
* 30+ IBU levels
* English Style, like
Porter
* English Ingredients
* Malt emphasis
* 30+ IBU levels
* English, like Bitter
* English Ingredients
* Malt emphasis
* Dark like Stout
DIFFERENCES * Irish Style, not English
* Darker than Bitter
* Least alcohol
* Less Chocolate than Stout
* More Roast than Stout
* Less Hop Flavor/ Aroma
than Bitter
* Lighter than Stout or
Porter
* Most Hop Flavor/
Aroma
* More Caramel
* Roast or Chocolate
inappropriate
* Darker than Bitter
* More Chocolate than
Stout
* Less Roast than Stout
* Less Hop Flavor/
Aroma than Bitter
THE BJCP EXAM FOR DUMMIES 2013
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2. Troubleshooting
T.1. Describe and discuss the following beer characteristics - a) characteristic-1, b) characteristic-2,
and c) characteristic-3. What causes them and how are they avoided and controlled? Are they ever
appropriate, and if so, in what beer styles? Address the following topics:
6 points Describe each characteristic and how it is perceived.
8 points Identify the causes and controls for each characteristic.
6 points Identify appropriate/inappropriate styles.
Start by building a grid like this that takes up the entire page. Fill in the characteristics you’re describing in
place of #1, #2, and #3:
Characteristic #1 Characteristic #2 Characteristic #3
Describe
How caused?
Avoided/Controlled?
Ever Appropriate? If
so, which styles?
The grid below has been turned the other way, in order to more easily cover all the troubleshooting
categories:
Characteristic Describe Ever
Appropriate?
If so, which
styles?
How is it caused? How can it be
avoided/controlled?
Acetaldehyde * Green apples
* Grassy
Yes,
Light
American
Lagers
* Premature removal
from yeast
* Bacterial Spoilage,
* Oxidation
* Allow ferment to
complete,
* Practice good sanitation
and beer handling to avoid
O2 contact
Alcoholic * Spicy
* Vinous
* Prickly
mouthfeel
* Fusels
Yes,
Strong Ales
and Lagers
* High amt of
fermentables
* Under pitching
* Low O2 or FAN
* Pitch sufficient yeast
quantity
* Aerate wort pre-pitching
Astringency * Mouth-
puckering
* Flavor
* Mouthfeel
Yes,
Flanders Red
* Extraction of
tannins – over
crushing,
oversparging
* alkaline water
* Lengthy hop
immersion times
* Polyphenols from
acetobacter
* Oxidation
* Spices
* Don’t over crush
* Keep sparge temp low
* Use acidified water in
sparge,
* Reduce hop immersion
time
* Practice good sanitation
* Reduce spice additions
Page 14 of 62 6/23/2013
Bitterness * Mouth-
puckering
* Bitter
* Aroma
* Flavor
* Mouthfeel
Yes,
* IPAs
* Pale Ales
* English
Bitters
* High AAU hops
* Lengthy hop boil
times
* Use hops with lower
alpha acids
* Reduce hop boil times
Buttery * Butterscotch
* Diacetyl
* Aroma
* Flavor
* Mouthfeel
Yes,
* Scotch Ales
* Bitters
* Czech Pils
* Northern
English
Brown
Diacetyl:
* Premature racking
* Low ferment temps
* Mutant yeast
* Lactic acid bacteria
* Reduced by yeast - allow
complete fermentation
* Properly aerate wort
prior to pitching
* Do a diacetyl rest (2 days
at the end of primary @ 65
F)
* Use healthy pure yeast,
* Practice good sanitation
Cardboard * Papery
* Stale
* Flavor
* Aroma
No,
N/A
* Aeration of hot wort
* Exposure of higher
alcohols in finished
beer to oxygen
* Old beer
* Avoid splashing hot wort
* Carefully package beer to
avoid oxygen contact
* Serve beer in an
appropriate amount of time
Cloudiness * Cloudy
* Appearance
Yes,
* Wheat
Beers
* Lambic
* American
Wheat
Chill Haze: Insufficient
conversion time
Permanent Haze:
High Sparge temps
Bacterial Haze:
Poor Sanitation
Powdery yeast
* Longer mash
* Use Protein rest
* Use finings
* Use filtration
* Reduce Sparge Temps
* Practice better sanitation
* Choose a less powdery
yeast
Cooked Corn * DMS
(dimethyl
sulfide)
* Vegetal
* Aroma
* Flavor
* Precursor
(dimethyl
sulfoxide) occur
naturally in
malt, turned into
DMS with heat,
evaporates
Yes,
* American
lagers
* Cream ales
* Covered boil
* Zymomonas
bacteria
* High level of
adjuncts
* Use uncovered full-
rolling boil
* Practice good sanitation
* Reduce adjuncts in mash
Fruitiness Esters:
* Strawberries
* Plums
* Apricots etc
* Flavor
* Aroma
Yes,
* American
Pale Ale
* Kolsch
* Alcohols combining
with acids at higher
ferment temps (Ethyl
acetate, Isoamyl
acetate, Ethyl
Hexanoate)
* Reduce fermentation
temperatures
* Choose a different yeast
strain
THE BJCP EXAM FOR DUMMIES 2013
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Light Body * Watery
* Weak
* Mouthfeel
Yes,
* American
Light Lagers
* Lambics
* Lack of dextrins
* Poor quality malt
* Large pct of sugar
* Over-long protein
rest
* Low mash
temperature
* Use quality malt
* Keep percentage of sugar
small
* Reduce length of protein
rest
* Use dextrin or wheat
malt, flaked wheat
* Raise mash temperature
Low Head
Retention
* Flat
* Appearance
* Mouthfeel
Yes,
* Lambics
* High
Alcohol Beers
* Insufficient proteins
in beer causes high
surface tension
* Dirty/oily glasses
* Low protein grist
* Shorten protein rest
* Use clean well-rinsed
glasses
* Use flaked wheat or
barley
* Lower alcohol by
lowering grist bill
* Use hops with high
isoalpha acids
Phenolic * Band-aid
* Medicinal
* Clove-like
* Plastic
* Smoky
* Peppery
* Aroma
* Flavor
Yes,
* Some
Belgian Ales
* Smoke
beers
* Some
Wheat beers
* Wild yeasts
* Improper sanitation
* Some malt types
* Some yeast types
* Use pure yeast strains
* Practice good sanitation
* Use “clean” malt
* Use yeast less prone to
phenol production
Sherry-like * Sherry
* Vinous
* Wine-like
* Paper like
* Old
Yes,
* Barleywines
* English Old
Ales
* Oxidative yeasts
acting on higher
alcohol beers creates
aldehydes (i.e. 2-
trans-nonenal)
* Use a different yeast
strain
* Create less alcohol by
lowering grist bill
* Serve beer younger
* Ferment cooler
Sourness * Tart
* Sour
* Aroma
* Flavor
* Mouthfeel
Yes
* Lambics
* Flanders
Ale
* Berliner
Weisse
* Lactic Acid (from
lactic acid bacteria)
* Acetobacter (from
Acetic acid)
* Practice proper sanitation
* Don’t employ over-
lengthy mash or low temp
mash
Page 16 of 62 6/23/2013
T.3. What are body and mouthfeel? Explain how the brewer controls body and mouthfeel in his/her beer? Cover the following topics:
10 points Describe Body and Mouthfeel.
10 points Explain how the brewer controls body and Mouthfeel.
What is it? How to control?
BODY
* Body is a sub-characteristic of
Mouthfeel
(See below)
MOUTHFEEL
* Mouthfeel is the tactile character of
beer, how it “feels” in your mouth. It
has five sub-components: Body,
Alcohol Warmth, Creaminess,
Astringency and Carbonation.
* Primarily controlled by the amount of
dextrins and medium length proteins in the
finished beer.
* Body is the viscosity of a beer. On
a viscosity scale of water to molasses,
water is a “thin” body, and molasses
would be a “thick” body.
* Increasing unfermented dextrins will give
the perception of a “bigger, thicker” body –
use more grist, mash hotter (153 F)
* Reducing unfermented dextrins will give the
perception of a “smaller, thinner” body – use
less grist, mash cooler (148F)
* Alcohol warmth is the sensation of
warmth or burning you feel as the
beer goes down your throat. Whiskey
would be at the high end of alcohol
warmth.
* Reduce fermentables, ferment cooler to
reduce alcohol warmth and fusels
* Increase fermentables, ferment warmer to
increase alcohol warmth and fusels
* Choose yeast for alcohol tolerance desired
* Creaminess is the sensation of
“smoothness” or “roundness” in a
beer. It is the opposite of
“Crispness.”
* A percentage of Oats in the grist can cause a
creamy sensation.
* Use nitrogen to “carbonate”
* Use lactose to increase perception
* Astringency is the puckery
sensation you get from a beer.
* Primarily caused by tannins (sometimes
mistakenly attributed to hop bitterness)
* Can also be caused by a high percentage of
roast or dark malt in the grist
* Can also be cause by lingering hop bitterness
* Reduce tannins by:
- Keeping sparge under 168F
- Ending sparge when gravity of runoff
reaches 1004
* Carbonation is the sparkling
sensation you feel in your mouth, or
in extreme cases, in your nose.
Champagne or Seven-Up soda would
be at the high end of carbonation.
* To increase bottle carbonation, add more
priming sugar and/or a small amount of fresh
yeast at bottling.
* To increase carbonation in kegging, increase
the CO2 pressure.
* Unwanted high carbonation can be decreased
by completely fermenting the beer prior to
packaging.
THE BJCP EXAM FOR DUMMIES 2013
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3. INGREDIENTS
T.4. Discuss hops, describing their characteristics, how these characteristics are extracted, and at
least four distinct beer styles with which the different varieties are normally associated. Address the
following topics:
6 points Describe hop characteristics.
6 points Discuss how hop characteristics are extracted.
8 points Identify associated beer styles.
Discuss hops:
1. Active ingredient: Lupulin, gland of the female plant of Humulus Lupus
2. Oils and Resins: Resins contain Alpha and Beta acids, Oils contain aromatics
3. Humulone and Cohumulone
4. Alpha and Beta acids – Alpha cause the bittering to occur in beer, Beta do not isomerize, but contribute
to aroma
5. Isomerization – Through boiling, changing the structure of the molecules in hop alpha and beta acids so
as to make them water soluable.
6. IBUs/Formula: IBU = 7490 x Weight(oz) x AA% x U
V(gallons)
Hop Characteristics How these characteristics are extracted
Antibacterial/Preservative Boiling hops in wort.
Bitterness Boiled for 60 minutes or longer from the end of the boil. Hop utilization is
about 25% in this phase.
Flavor Boiled for 40-25 minutes from the end of the boil. Hop utilization is about
10% in this phase.
Aroma Boiled for 15 minutes or less from the end of the boil. May also be steeped by
throwing them in after flame-out. Hop utilization is 5% or less in this phase.
Aroma Dry Hopping. Added to the secondary fermenter for aroma only.
Identify at least four distinct beer styles with which different varieties of hops are associated:
Hop Variety Country Characteristics Associated Style
Hallertauer, Tettnanger,
Spalt
Germany
Noble hops. Low in
bitterness, high on
aroma, spicy, floral
German Pilsner, Bocks,
Alts
East Kent Goldings,
Fuggles
England
English hops: Good for
bittering, flavor and
aroma, earthy, tobacco
English Pale Ale, Porter
Saaz
Czech Republic Floral, mild, sweet Bohemian Pilsner
Cascade, Centennial,
Columbus, Amarillo
America (Pacific
Northwest)
Citrusy, grapefruity American IPA,
American Pale Ale
Northern Brewer Europe, America Rustic, Woody California Common
Styrian Goldings Austria and Slovenia Spicy Witbier, Belg. Pale Ale
Page 18 of 62 6/23/2013
T.8. Discuss the importance of water characteristics in the brewing process and how water has
played a role in the development of at least four distinct world beer styles. Address the following
topics
10 points Describe the importance of water characteristics in the brewing process.
10 points Describe the role in the development of at least four beer styles.
In my opinion, this is one of the more difficult questions that can be on the BJCP exam. Water is obviously
a VERY important part of brewing, and books have been written about it. The example below is one way
of answering this question that SHOULD get you a fairly decent score.
WATER TREATMENT METHODS
METHOD IMPORTANCE
Boiling * Removes chlorine, kills bacteria
Charcoal Filtration * Removes chloramines
Reverse Osmosis * 100% r/o not recommended – strips out needed minerals
Minerals Essential for healthy fermentation
* Iron
* Manganese
* Copper
* Zinc
Salts Commonly used: Gypsum, (CaSO4), Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3), Magnesium
Sulfate (MgSO4)
Cations
* Calcium – 10-20ppm needed for yeast nutrition
* Sodium – Accentuates sweetness at low levels
Anions
* Bicarbonate – Neutralizes acids in dark malt
* Chloride – Accentuates sweetness at low levels
* Sulfate – Accentuates hop bitterness
Acids Used to reduce alkalinity (if necessary)
* Lactic acid
* Sulfuric acid
pH (Power of Hydrogen):
WATER TYPE pH
Pure Water 7.0
Acidic 0 – 6 pH
Alkaline 8-14 pH
Proper mashing level 5.2 – 5.7 pH
BEER STYLES (choose at least 4)
CITY BEER STYLE IMPORTANCE OF WATER
Plzen Bohemian Pilsner Soft, low mineral content across the board, tends to decrease the
perception of hop bitterness. The most ion-free brewing water in the
world. Decoction mashing needed due to lack of minerals to aid
enzymatic reactions.
Dortmund Dortmunder Export High sulfates accentuate hop bitterness. Tastes “minerally”.
Munich Oktoberfest High alkaline and carbonate water balances acidifying effect of dark
THE BJCP EXAM FOR DUMMIES 2013
6/23/2013 Page 19 of 62
malts.
Munich Dunkel High in carbonates, Carbonates increase color extraction during sparging
which makes production of light colored worts difficult, hence the
development of Munich Dunkel. Waters high in carbonate tend to be
alkaline and make a shift to a more acidic pH, favorable for mash
conditions, difficult. Additions of small amounts of dark roast malts help
shift the pH to more acidic conditions. This again favors the Dunkel
style.
Vienna Vienna Lager Hard, carbonate-rich water extracts the color from Vienna malt.
Burton English Pale Ales Extremely hard water - CaSO4 (Calcium Sulfate) & HCO3-
(Hydrocarbonate), accentuates bitterness, gives drier and fuller flavor, and
emphasizes hop bitterness.
Dublin Dry Stout High in Ca++(Calcium) & HCO3-(Hydrocarbonate), similar to Munich
but slightly higher in mineral content across the board. Waters high in
carbonate tend to be alkaline and make a shift to a more acidic pH,
favorable for mash conditions, difficult. Additions of small amounts of
dark roast malts help shift the pH to more acidic conditions.
Edinburgh Scottish Ales Local water often lends a “smoky” character when combined with yeast
and lower fermentation temperatures.
London Porter High alkaline and carbonate water balances acidifying effect of dark
malts. Very similar to Dublin.
Page 20 of 62 6/23/2013
T.15. This question addresses two separate ingredients, malt and yeast. Please provide the following
information in your answer: (1) Identifying and describing the different types of malts by their color
and the flavor they impart to the beer, and give at least four distinct styles with which specific malts
are associated. (2) Provide five distinct considerations in selecting the appropriate yeast strain for a
given beer style.
5 points Identify types of malt.
7 points Identify types of malt associated with at least four beer styles.
8 points Provide five distinct yeast strain selection considerations.
A. Identify and describe the different types of malts by their color and the flavor they impart to the
beer. Give at least four distinct styles with which specific malts are associated.
Identify Describe Color Flavor Styles
Base Malts 2 and 6 row barley
Fully modified
Kilned at 130-180F
Straw
Gold
Yellow
Bread crumbs
Crackers
Pale Ales
Pilsner
Tripel
Toasted
Malts Victory, Vienna, Munich
Amber
Copper
Red
Biscuit
Toasted Breadcrumb
Baking Bread
California
Common
N.German Alt
Crystal
Malts Various Lovibond-rated
Crystal and Caramel
Fully modified
Heated at 50% moisture
content to 150-170F
Mashes starches inside husk
Kilned to desired color
Amber
Copper
Red
Caramel
Toffee
Cookies
Dark American Lager
American Amber
Roast
Malts Chocolate, Black, Roast
Under modified
Kilned at 5% moisture
Kilned at 420-450F for up to 2 hours
No diastatic ability
Brown
Black
Chocolate
Coffee
Stouts
Porters
Non-
Barley Wheat, Rye, Corn, Rice
May require more intensive mash process
May cause cloudiness
Bready, wheat, corn
Minty
Peppery
Weizen
Roggenbier
American
Lagers
Cl. American Pilsner
THE BJCP EXAM FOR DUMMIES 2013
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B. Provide five distinct yeast strain selection considerations.
Consideration Effect on Beer
Apparent Attenuation Less residual sweetness (lager yeast)
More alcohol
Less body
Alcohol Tolerance Greater Alcohol by Volume
Flocculation Less time required for clearing
Potentially clearer beer
Temperature Fruity esters for ale yeasts (higher temperatures)
Clean, ester-free beers for lager yeasts (lower temps)
Lager yeasts require longer time to finish
Ester/Phenol
Production Fruity flavors/aromas for yeasts high in ester production
Clean, crisp flavors/aromas for yeasts low in ester production
Spicy, clove or peppery phenols in Belgian styles and Bavarian Wheat
beers
Diacetyl Production Butter or Butterscotch flavors
Acceptable in low amounts in some styles
Page 22 of 62 6/23/2013
4. THE BREWING PROCESS
T.9. Describe the brewing techniques. A) Kräuesening B) Adding Gypsum C) Fining. How do they
affect the beer?
10 points Discuss each characteristic.
10 points Identify their effect on the finished beer.
Describe Effect on Beer
Kräuesening
* The addition of a portion of
actively fermenting wort to a
wort that has finished
fermenting.
* To provide "natural" carbonation.
* Also reduces residual diacetyl
* Used for most German and American Lagers
* May contribute acetaldehyde ("green" beer character) in
the finished beer.
* Consistent with Rheinheitsgebot – adding CO2 not
allowed
Adding
Gypsum
* Gypsum is Calcium Sulfate
* Common brewing salt
* Key salt for
“Burtonization”
* Increases Ca++ and SO4—
* Calcium helps yeast metabolism in proper levels,
* Calcium allows the wort to acidify
* Critical to proper enzyme function.
* Sulfate lends a soft edge to hop bitterness by affecting
alpha-acid extraction and creating a synergistic perception
effect.
Fining
* The addition of a
compound to wort or beer.
* Added to the boil for hot
break: Irish moss or
Whirlfloc
* Added to the secondary:
Isinglass, Bentonite,
Polyclar, Sparkloid
* Coagulates proteins to clarify beer
* Precipitate tannins and/or proteins that may cause haze,
or even flavor instability.
Page 24 of 62 6/23/2013
T.11. Describe and explain the role of diastatic and proteolytic enzymes in the brewing process and
how they affect the characteristics of the finished beer. Address the following topics:
10 points Describe and explain the role of diastatic and proteolytic enzymes in the brewing process
10 points Describe how the affect the finished beer.
Proteolytic Diastatic
Works on Proteins Starches
Subset Proteolytic Beta Amylase Alpha Amlyase
Temperature 113-127F
(aka “Protein” rest)
130-150F
(aka “Saccharification”)
149-158F
(aka “Saccharification”)
Describe/Explain * Proteinase breaks
down proteins into
smaller fractions such as
polypeptides – necessary
for good head retention.
* Peptidase breaks down
polypeptides into
peptides and amino
acids, essential for
proper yeast growth and
development
* Starches are gelatinized
* Beta amylase enzymes
breaks off maltose units
from reducing ends of
starches
* Unable to break down
largest units of starches
* Alpha amylase enzymes
breaks 1-4 links from
starches at random
* Unable to break down
into smallest units of
starches
Effect on Beer * Reduces cloudiness
* Too long a protein rest
can reduce head
* Creates more fermentable
wort
* Thinner bodied beer
* Creates more dextrinous
wort
* Thicker bodied beer
NOTE: If you get this question, the big hint is the word “Proteolytic” – remember “Proteo” means
“proteins.” You’ll just have to remember that the OTHER type of enzyme – Diastatic – works on starches,
but the the root of the word “Diastatic” (“Dia-“) should remind you that it has two components, Beta and
Alpha. Beta-Amylase enzymes are activated first in the temperature scale – in the lower range, and Alpha-
Amylase is activated second – at the higher range. You could remember “Alpha” as in “Alpha-male” – the
TOP of the temperature range. Note that the two ranges overlap at 149-150F, so to take advantage of
BOTH the Beta and Alpha Amylase enzymes, choose that temperature for your Saccharification rest.
THE BJCP EXAM FOR DUMMIES 2013
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T.13. Explain what happens during the mashing process, including times and temperatures as
appropriate. Describe three different mashing techniques and the advantages and disadvantages of
each. Address the following topics:
10 points Explain what happens in the mashing process, including times and temperatures as
appropriate.
6 points Identify and describe three mashing techniques.
4 points Describe the advantages and disadvantages of each.
A. Explain what happens during the mashing process, including times and temperatures as
appropriate.
Mashing Step Temperature Time Active
Enzymes
Description
Milling Grain n/a n/a n/a * Crushing grain kernels to expose
starches
Dough-in 10-15F higher
than first rest
to raise grain
temperature
n/a n/a * Mixing grist with water
* 1.3 qts per pound of grist
* Break all clumps so no dry grist
remains
Acid Rest 95-120F 60-120
min
* Phytase
* Beta
Glucanase
* For under-modified malt only
* Lowers mash PH when using low
calcium brewing liquor
* Breaks down phytin into calcium- and
magnesium-phosphate and phytic acid
* Breaks down hemicellulose and gums
in the cell walls
Protein Rest 113-127F 15-60
min
* Proteinase
* Peptidase
* Proteolytic enzymes
* Breaks down proteins into smaller
fractions such as polypeptides
* Breaks down polypeptides into
peptides and amino acids, essential for
proper yeast growth and development
Saccharification See descriptions for Beta and Alpha
Amylase enzymes
* Breaks down starches into dextrins
and fermentable sugars
Produces:
* Monosaccharides: Glucose, Fructose,
Mannose, Galactose
* Disaccharides: Maltose, Isomaltose,
Fructose, Melibiose, Lactose
* Trisaccharides: Maltriose
* Oligosaccharides: “dextrins” –
glucose chains
Saccharification –
Beta Amylase
130-150F 15-90
min
* Beta Amylase * Subset of Diastatic enzymes
* Yields wort very low in dextrins, high
in fermentables
* M.A.L.T. – More Alcohol, Lower
Temperature
* Breaks off maltose units from
Page 26 of 62 6/23/2013
reducing ends of starches
Saccharification –
Alpha Amylase
149-158F 15-30
min
* Alpha
Amylase
* Subset of Diastatic enzymes
* Wort high in dextrins, low in
fermentables
* Breaks 1-4 links from starches at
random
Mash-Out 168-172F 5-15
min
n/a * Denatures enzymes, stops conversion
* Reduces viscosity, aids run-off of
mash
B. Describe three different mashing techniques and the advantages and disadvantages of
each.
Mash-Type Describe Advantages Disadvantages
Infusion Mash * Mixing grain with a
single temperature of
water and resting at that
temp for the entire mash
* Requires minimum of
labor, equipment,
energy and time
* Prohibits the use of
under modified malt or
adjuncts
Step Mash * Mashing in with a low
temp of water
* Raising mash temps to
achieve conversion
goals
* Temp raised by adding
boiling water or direct
heat
* Allows flexibility in
use of different temp
steps
* Under modified malts
may be used.
* Requires more
resources (labor, time,
equipment)
Decoction Mash * Removal of a thick
third of mash
* Raise to brief
saccharification rest
* Boil for 15-30 minutes
* Mixing it back into the
main mash
* Repeat up to 3 times
to reach beta amylase,
alpha amylase, and
mash-out temps
* Explode starch
granules
* Breaks down the
protein matrix in under
modified malt
* Improves extraction
efficiency
* Promotes the
formation of
melanoidins.
* Most resource
intensive (time, labor,
equipment)
* May extract higher
levels of tannins and
DMS precursors from
grain husks
Cereal Mash
(Double Mash)
* Two separate mashes:
main mash is crushed
malt, cereal mash is raw
adjuncts and a bit of
crushed malt
* Boiled for 1+ hours to
gelatinize the starches
* Added to main mash,
which has undergone an
acid rest
* Allows use of adjuncts
as alternate source of
sugar
* Needs to be boiled or
hot-flaked before adding
to mash
* Time and resource
intensive
THE BJCP EXAM FOR DUMMIES 2013
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T.14. Provide a complete ALL-GRAIN recipe for a ___________,
This is NOT the best demo for how to create a recipe. The purpose of this demo is how to get the best
score on the Recipe Creation question on the BJCP Exam. First, let’s look at the question:
2 points Target statistics (starting specific gravity, final specific gravity, and bitterness in IBUs or
HBUs) and color (as SRM or a textual description of the color)
4 points Batch size, ingredients (grist, hops, water, and yeast) and their quantities
7 points Mashing, boil, fermentation, packaging, and other relevant brewing procedures
7 points Explain how the recipe fits the style's characteristics for aroma, appearance, flavor, mouthfeel,
and other significant aspects of the style; and describe how the ingredients and processes used
impact this style.
The recipe creation question is worth 10 points of the total written part of the exam and is divided into four
sections. Let’s call them:
1. Statistics - 1 point maximum (4 items - 0.25 points each)
2. Ingredients - 2 points maximum (4 items - 0.5 points each)
3. Techniques - 3.5 points maximum (4 items - 0.875 points each)
4. Profile - 3.5 points maximum (5 items - 0.7 points each)
Note: You can get up to seven points on this question if you don’t list any statistics or ingredients! (I’m
not saying you shouldn’t know statistics or ingredients – it’s just an interesting point.)
When you read the question, take a minute to underline all of the items the question is asking for (as I have
done in the question above). Before answering the question, if you take a moment to organize the task by
making a form (like the form on Section 2 – Number 2 in the appendix), then your work is cut out for you.
Just fill in the blanks. Just WHAT to put in the blanks is another story…. In this discussion I will number
each item by the number it is given in the form in the appendix.
One more thing which will prove useful - here’s a table of commonly tested beers. I have “dumbed it
down” by looking for average common statistics amongst the styles. The exceptions have been shaded.
STYLE OG FG IBU SRM/COLOR
American IPA 1075 1010 40 6
Belgian Tripel 1075 1010 25 6
Doppelbock 1075 1016 25 6
Bohemian Pilsner 1050 1016 40 6
Robust Porter 1050 1016 40 25
Oktoberfest 1050 1016 25 7
Dry Stout 1050 1010 40 25
German Pilsner 1050 1010 40 5
Classic American Pilsner 1050 1010 40 6
English Pale Ale 1050 1010 40 6
Weizen/Weissbier 1050 1010 10 6
1. OG – Original Gravity. 1.050 is OK for most beers that are commonly used for this question (not
IPA, Tripel or Doppelbock – they are 1075.) These are defined by the style; they just have to be
memorized. Just write down 1050 or 1075!
Page 28 of 62 6/23/2013
2. FG – Final Gravity. 1.010 is OK for most beers, except for Bohemian Pilsner, Doppelbock, Robust
Porter and Oktoberfest – use 1.016 for them. (Think: “sweeter beers”)
CALCULATING FINAL GRAVITY:
NOTE: You don’t need to know the stuff in this box for the test. This is just to explain why we’re using
1010 and 1016
Final gravity is determined by several things, but key amongst them is yeast attenuation. This means
how much of the sugar in the beer will the yeast consume, and they differ a bit from one variety of
yeast to another. The average attenuation rate of most yeast, however, is 75%. If you have a starting
gravity of 1.050 (really, 1.050 – just think “50”) and take 75% of that
50 x .75 = 37.5
50 – 37.5 = 12.5 is the gravity of what remains. 1.0125 is your final gravity
1.010 is the low end of the scale by the guidelines, and it happens to be the number that is common to
most of these styles, and is easier to remember.
3. IBUs – “International Bittering Units” - shorthand for “How bitter do you want your beer?” 40
IBUs will work for most of the commonly tested beers. The Tripel, Doppelbock, and Oktoberfest
need 25 IBUs, the Weissbier only needs 10. IBUs, like Original Gravity, is a characteristic of the
style, and must just be memorized.
4. SRM – “Standard Reference Method” - shorthand for “Color”.
5 SRM will work for German Pilsner (“Pale Straw”.)
6 SRM will work for most of the commonly tested beers. (Think “Pale Gold”.)
7 SRM will work for Oktoberfest (Think “Yellow”.)
25 SRM will work for Dry Stout and Robust Porter (Think “Dark Brown”.)
Why not 6 for German Pilsner and Oktoberfest? That would be just too easy then, wouldn’t it?
5. BATCH SIZE – 5 Gallons. You could pick any number you want for this, as long as you list
something. But 5 gallons makes the rest of this demo work – so USE FIVE GALLONS!
6. GRIST – first. Start with EFFICIENCY – an easy one – always 75%. Why?
Because you’re going to use 10 pounds of grain (except for the IPA, the Tripel, and the
Doppelbock – those use 15 lbs.) Why 10 lbs? Because….
CALCULATING ORIGINAL GRAVITY:
NOTE: You don’t need to know the stuff in this box for the test. This is just to explain why we’re using
an efficiency of 75% and 10 lbs of grain.
There is a fancy formula for figuring out your potential original gravity. It relies on your knowing the
extraction rates for different types of grain. Sugar itself yields 46 gravity points. Base malt yields 33.
There are others, but that’s going to be close enough for our purposes.
• 10 pounds of grain times 33 points per pound equals 330 points.
• We divide 330 points by the total gallons (5, remember?)
• 330 / 5 = 66 (or an original gravity of 1.066).
• But 66 is our MAXIMUM potential. We’re only getting 75% efficiency, remember?
• 75% x 66 = 49.5… round up to 50 – or an OG of 1050.
THE BJCP EXAM FOR DUMMIES 2013
6/23/2013 Page 29 of 62
THAT’S why we always say 75% efficiency!
• Keep the actual grain bill VERY simple!
• Forget “special ingredients” for the purposes of the test.
• Use malts from the country of origin of the beer.
• If you don’t know malts from that country, remember most beers will start with “pale malt”.
Here are the grain bills for the most commonly tested styles.
STYLE GRIST
American IPA 2-Row 80%, Crystal 20L 15%, Crystal 60L 5%
Belgian Tripel Pilsner Malt 80%, White Sugar 20%
Doppelbock Munich 75%, Vienna 25%
Bohemian Pilsner 100% Moravian Pilsner
Robust Porter Maris Otter 85%, Roast 5%, Black 5%, Chocolate 5%
Oktoberfest Vienna 50%, Pils 40%, Munich 5%, Crystal 15L 5%
Dry Stout Maris Otter 65%, Roast Unmalted Barley 8%, Flaked Unmalted Barley 20%,
Black 7%
German Pilsner Pilsner 100%
Classic American Pilsner 6-Row 70%, Flaked Maize 30%
English Pale Ale Maris Otter 90%, Crystal 60L 10%
Weizen/Weissbier Wheat 70%, Pilsner 30%
Now, just multiply the percentage listed by 10 lbs (we always use ten pounds, remember, except for 15 lbs
for IPAs, Tripels and Doppelbocks) and you have your quantity!
7. HOPS
• Always 5% Alpha Acid (AA), regardless of what hops you choose (see box below)
• Stick to Bittering, Flavor, and Aroma additions for the purposes of the test
• Ignore Mash hop, First Wort Hop and Dry hop techniques for the purposes of the test
• Mention “Assumed Utilization Rates” - 25% Bittering, 5% Flavor, 0% Aroma
IN GENERAL
TYPE:
Use hops from the country of origin for the beer:
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN HOP VARIETIES
England UK hops (East Kent Goldings, Fuggles)
Germany Noble Hops (Hallertauer, Spalt, Tettnanger)
Czechoslovakia Saaz
USA Pacific Northwest “C” Hops (Centennial, Chinook,
Cascade)
Belgium Styrian Goldings
HOW MUCH:
Use 2 oz BITTERING hops for 40 IBUs
Use 1 oz BITTERING hops for 25 IBUs
Use 0.5 oz BITTERING hops for 10 IBUs
Page 30 of 62 6/23/2013
Use one-half to one ounce of flavor and/or aroma hops – if a beer is supposed to have hop flavor
or aroma. They’re FREE (Utilization-wise)!
CALCULATING HOP AMOUNTS:
NOTE: You don’t need to know the stuff in this box for the test. This is just to explain why we’re using
a utilization of 25% and AA% of 5%
There is a fancy formula for figuring out the weight of your hops. It relies on your knowing your target
IBUs:
• For beers commonly tested, usually 40, sometimes 25, rarely 10)
• The volume of your beer (always 5)
• Your alpha acid (always 5%)
• Your utilization (bittering always 25% - since flavor is only 5% and aroma is 0%, we’re not going to
bother with them.)
The formula is:
Weight= IBU * V(Gallons) / (AA% * 7490 * Utilization)
Why 7490? Because this formula was originally figured out in all METRIC units, and 7490 covers the
conversion. Skip that unless you’re going for the MASTER score!
So to figure out how much BITTERING hops to use for 40 IBUs:
40 IBUs x 5 Gallons / (.05 AA% x 7490 x .25 Utilization)
200 / 93.626
2.13 oz (round down to 2 oz. for memorization sake)
Based on these GENERALITIES, here are some potential hop bills for the commonly tested styles:
STYLE BITTERING HOPS FLAVOR HOPS AROMA HOPS
American IPA 2 oz Centennial 1 oz Cascade 1 oz Cascade
Belgian Tripel 1 oz Styrian Goldings 1 oz Styrian Goldings
Doppelbock 1 oz Hallertauer 0.5 oz Tettnanger
Bohemian Pilsner 2 oz Saaz 1 oz Saaz
Robust Porter 2 oz East Kent Goldings 1 oz Fuggles
Oktoberfest 1 oz Hallertauer 1 oz Hallertauer
Dry Stout 2 oz East Kent Goldings 1 oz Fuggles 1 oz Fuggles
German Pilsner 2 oz Hallertauer 1 oz Hallertauer 1 oz Hallertauer
Classic American Pilsner 2 oz Hallertauer 1 oz Hallertauer
English Pale Ale 2 oz East Kent Goldings 1 oz Fuggles 1 oz Fuggles
Weizen/Weissbier 0.5 oz Hallertauer
8. WATER – Always:
9 total gallons of water
3.5 gallons of strike water at 163F for a mash temperature of 150F
5.5 gallons of sparge water at 168F, acidified with 1 tsp phosphoric acid.
…UNLESS, you’re doing an IPA, Tripel or Doppelbock. Then use 1.5 times these amounts
THE BJCP EXAM FOR DUMMIES 2013
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Why?....
CALCULATING WATER VOLUMES AND TEMPERATURES:
NOTE: You don’t need to know the stuff in this box for the test. This is just to explain how we’re
getting the water volumes and temperatures.
VOLUMES OF WATER:
There is a fancy formula for figuring out how much water you need for mashing and sparging. It relies
on your knowing:
• The amount of grain you’ll be mashing (always 10 lbs)
• The target volume of your batch (always 5 gallons)
THE FORMULA FOR MASH WATER VOLUME:
Volume= Weight x 1.25 quarts
THE FORMULA FOR TOTAL WATER VOLUME NEEDED:
• (BatchVolume plus TrubVolume)
• divided by
• 1 minus (WortShrinkagePct divided by 100
• divided by
• (1 minus (BoilTime times (BoiloffPct divided by100) ) )
• plus
• EquipmentLossVol
• plus (GrainVolume times AbsorptionRate)
You’ll have to trust me on these numbers:
BatchVolume = 5
TrubVolume = .5
WortShrinkagePct = 4
Boil Time = 1
BoilOffPct = 10
EquipmentLossVol = 1
GrainVolume = 10
AbsorbtionRate = .13
Thanks to Brew365 for this formula! http://www.brew365.com/mash_sparge_water_calculator.php
FORMULA FOR SPARGE WATER VOLUME:
Volume= Total Water needed – Mash Water
TEMPERATURES OF WATER:
There are two temperature ranges where a single infusion mash can convert starches in the grain to
sugars: the Beta Amylase range (130-150F ), and the Alpha Amylase range (149-158F ). Mashing in
the Beta Amylase range will convert more of the starches to sugar, and will produce thinner beers with
more alcohol (use the mnemonic M.A.L.T. – More Alcohol, Lower Temperature.) Mashing in the
higher, Alpha Amylase range will convert less of the starches to sugar, yielding sweeter beers with a
Page 32 of 62 6/23/2013
thicker body. We chose 150F for our mash temperature because it’s at the point where the beta and
alpha amylase temperature ranges overlap.
STRIKE TEMPERATURE FORMULA
The formula for determining the “strike temperature” of water for a specified target temperature is as
follows:
Tw = (0.2 ÷ R) X (T2 – T1) + T2
Tw = the actual temperature of the infusion water (what we’re solving for…)
R = the ratio of water to grain in quarts per pound (1.25)
T1 = the initial temperature of the mash (or dry grain) (70F – room temperature)
T2 = the target temperature of the mash (153F)
Using our weights and volumes, we get:
Tw = (0.2 ÷ 1.25) x (150 – 70) + 153F Tw = (0.16) x (80) + 150F Tw = 12.8 + 150F Tw = 162.8F (rounded to 163F)
There is another formula for figuring out what temperature of water to ADD to a mash to get to the next
temperature rest, but fortunately we’re only doing a SINGLE INFUSION mash, so we don’t need to
know that….
What? You want to know it ANYWAY? (sigh…) OK, here it is…
INFUSION TEMPERATURE FORMULA:
Wa = (T2 – T1) X (0.2 x G + Wm) ÷ (Tw – T2) We need a few new variables, in addition to the ones above
Wa = the amount of boiling water added in quarts (what we’re solving for)
Wm = the total amount of water in the mash in quarts (1.25 qts/lb x 10 lbs grain)
G = the amount of grain in the mash in pounds (10)
Let’s say we want to have a MASH-OUT for our single-infusion mash at 168F (mash-outs are not
necessary, and you won’t lose points for not describing them.). 168F is the highest temperature you can
use without the risk of extracting tannins. We need to figure out how much boiling water to add to get
the mash temperature to 168F. Our formula is:
Wa = (T2 – T1) X (0.2 x G + Wm) ÷ (Tw – T2)
Wa = (168 – 150) X (0.2 x 10 + (1.25 x 10) ) ÷ (212 – 168)
Wa = 18 X (2 + 12.5) ÷ (44)
Wa = (18 X 14.5) ÷ (44)
Wa = 261 ÷ 44
Wa = 5.93 quarts
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9. YEAST
Remember three things:
• Ale or Lager,
• Country of origin
• “Create a 1 quart starter”
If you can’t think of a specific yeast name, just say [Country] [Type]… i.e. “German Lager”.
This question should be a gimme - every yeast will get the job done! :-D
STYLE BEER TYPE COUNTRY YEAST
American IPA Ale America American Ale
Belgian Tripel Ale Belgium Trappist HighGravity
Doppelbock Lager Germany Bavarian Lager
Bohemian Pilsner Lager Czechoslovakia Budjevoice Lager
Robust Porter Ale England London Ale III
Oktoberfest Lager Germany Munich Lager
Dry Stout Ale Ireland Irish Ale
German Pilsner Lager Germany German Lager
Classic American Pilsner Lager America Budjevoice Lager
English Pale Ale Ale England London Ale
Weizen/Weissbier Ale Germany Weihenstephan Ale
10. MASH
Techniques: Single Infusion
(choose one) Multi-Step
Decoction
Double Mash (also called a Cereal Mash)
Rests: Acid Rest (95-120F – 60-120 minutes)
Protein Rest (122F – 20 min)
Beta Amylase Saccharification Rest (130-150F – 30 min)
Alpha Amylase Saccharification Rest (149-158F)
Mash-Out (168F 15 min)
Vorlauf (recirculate.): 30 minutes
Sparge/Lauter: 168F, 5.5 gallons, 45 minutes
BIG HINT: ALL of these styles can be made with a Single-Infusion mash! But to get all the
points, you need to say:
“The CLASSIC mash style used for this beer would be the ____ mash technique, but due to the
highly modified malts available today, I’ll use the Single Infusion mash.” (NOTE: There are some
styles such as Doppelbock where a decoction mash can significantly enhance the flavor and aroma
profile, and some graders may not award all possible points without a description of the decoction.)
If you DO decide to use one of the other mash types, be SURE to detail all the steps!
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STYLE CLASSIC MASH TYPE
American IPA Multi-Step
Belgian Tripel Multi-Step
Doppelbock Decoction
Bohemian Pilsner Decoction
Robust Porter Single Infusion
Oktoberfest Decoction
Dry Stout Single Infusion
German Pilsner Decoction
Classic American Pilsner Double-Mash (Cereal)
English Pale Ale Multi-Step
Weizen/Weissbier Decoction
11. BOIL/CHILL
Boil: ALWAYS: “75 minutes, full rolling boil to facilitate hot break, adding hops according to
schedule above.
Finings: Irish Moss, added at 5 minutes before the end of the boil.
Chill: Counter-flow method, to facilitate cold break, to 70F prior to pitching yeast (cooler
temperatures for lagers.)”
EXCEPT FOR: Weizen – state “NO FININGS due to desired cloudiness in finished beer.”
12. FERMENTATION: Ales or Lagers (see yeast chart above)
Ales:
Primary: 68F for 7 days
Secondary: 68F for 21 days
Lagers:
Primary: 55F for 14 days
Diacetyl Rest: 65F for 2 days
Secondary: 32F for 60 days
13. PACKAGING
Always: Bottle condition: ¾ cup of corn sugar at bottling.
(Using kegging requires knowing the pressures of the various beers – you already have enough to
remember!)
For the next four points, read and use the “helper words” from the beer score sheet. (They are on the
“Classic Example” score sheet for Question #9.) Say something on each of these attributes. If it DOESN’T
have that characteristic – SAY SO! (i.e. – “No alcohol warmth.”)
14. AROMA
Comment on malt aroma, hop aroma, esters, and other aromatics
15. APPEARANCE
Comment on color, clarity, and head retention, head color, and head texture
16. FLAVOR
Comment on malt flavor, malt sweetness or dryness, hop flavor, hop bitterness, fermentation
THE BJCP EXAM FOR DUMMIES 2013
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Characteristics (esters/phenols), balance between sweetness and hop bitterness, finish/aftertaste,
and other flavor characteristics
17. MOUTHFEEL
Comment on body, carbonation, alcohol warmth, creaminess, astringency, and other palate
sensations
18. HOW INGREDIENTS/PROCEDURES IMPACT THE STYLE?
Easy way: “The malt, hops, and yeast used in this recipe work together to produce the aroma,
appearance, flavor and mouthfeel representative of a __________ style.” If you’ve got LOTS of
time at the END of the test, come back to this part and elaborate more, if you know it.
See the appendix for a sample “grid” with which to answer this question.
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BJCP TASTE EXAM 6 beers (worth 50% of your total score)
THE SCORESHEET – THE SECTIONS YOU WRITE FOR EACH BEER
The first four sections on the score sheet (aroma, appearance, flavor and mouthfeel) are objective!
What do you sense? Don’t write about how to improve these sensations in the first four sections. Save
those for “Overall”. Comment on each “key word” beneath each section of the score sheet. (Some
people even make a little check mark on the key word after they’ve commented on it. This also
telegraphs to the grader: “Look, see? I talked about this aspect of the beer!”)
1. AROMA - Key Words: Malt, hops, esters, and other aromatics
2. APPEARANCE - Key Words: Color, clarity, head retention, head color, and head texture
3. FLAVOR - Key Words: Malt, hops, fermentation characteristics, balance,
finish/aftertaste, and other flavor characteristics
4. MOUTHFEEL - Key Words: Body, carbonation, warmth, creaminess, astringency, and
other palate
sensations
The fifth section is subjective. How did you enjoy the beer? How could the brewer improve the beer,
the recipe and/or the process?
5. OVERALL - Overall drinking pleasure associated with entry, give suggestions for
improvement
HOW THE GRADERS GRADE THE TASTE SECTION
The graders score the TASTE section on 5 segments - each beer gets 20 points for each segment, for each
beer, totaling 100 points per beer.
1. SCORE: How close did your score for the beers get to the consensus proctor scores?
2. PERCEPTION: How closely did your descriptions of the beers match those of the proctors? Did
you identify the primary characteristics?
3. DESCRIPTION: Were your comments colorful and evocative?
4. FEEDBACK: Did you describe how you enjoyed the beer? Did you give 2-3 specific
suggestions for improvement?
5. COMPLETENESS: Did you avoid leaving white space? Did you comment on all sub-key words
under all sensory components? Did you fill out the style grid? Did you total your
score accurately?
The first two segments, SCORE and PERCEPTION, are dependent on how the proctors scored and
perceived the beer.
The last 3 segments, DESCRIPTION, FEEDBACK, and COMPLETENESS are all dependent on you - as
long as they're all consistent to each other and all thorough, you should be able to get the maximum points
independent of the proctors score sheets.
THE BJCP EXAM FOR DUMMIES 2013
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A. SCORE (20 points total – based on absolute difference in scores for all four beers)
For SCORE, graders take the absolute difference between your score and the proctors score on each
beer, total them, then compare them to the Score matrix: i.e.
Variance from Proctors Points Variance from Proctors Points
0-4 20 19-22 14
5-8 19 23-26 13
9-12 18 27-30 12
13-14 17 31-35 11
15-16 16 36-40 10
17-18 15 >40 9
In the case above, the total absolute difference was between 9-12, so you would get 18 points for the
SCORING portion of the Taste exam. (NOTE: you CAN'T get any fewer than 9 points on the Score
section, no matter HOW far off you were from the proctors’ scores.
Think of all the "Calibration Beers" you've ever judged.
Do you usually judge higher or lower than everyone else?
Do you have a fondness or dislike for some styles that consistently make you judge them either
high or low? If so, score the beers normally, then knock off or add a point or two, per your
calibration experiences.
Want to play the averages? (Risky.... use at your own peril!)
It’s considered poor taste to judge a beer below 13, and most people will give no higher than a 45.
That gives you a 32 point range, not a 50 point range (45-13 = 32).
The midpoint between 13 and 45 is 29. (32 / 2 = 16, 13 + 16 = 29) Most judges don't sway too
far from this.
IF (and I say IF) a beer on the exam is really poor, give it a 13. Done deal. (One beer in the exam set is supposed to be flawed.)
If a beer is nearly average, give it near a 29.
Even more risky business… exam administrators are instructed to offer the following beer examples:
As near as possible to a flawless, “Classic Example” (mid to high 40’s score)
A badly flawed beer (13-20 score)
A middle-range beer (27-34 score)
A beer that has a perceptible flavor or aroma component (depends on whether the characteristic is appropriate for the style or not)
Proctors’
Consensus
Your
Score
Absolute
Difference
Beer 1 43 38 5
Beer 2 33 35 2
Beer 3 13 15 2
Beer 4 27 25 2
TOTAL 11
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If you think you recognize which beer fits which category, and if you think your exam administrator has
properly followed directions, then you can set your score based on these hunches. (I told you it was risky!)
B. PERCEPTION (120 points total - 20 points per beer)
Did you get the same characteristics in the beer as the proctors and the rest of the examinees?
Write what you see, hear, smell, taste, and feel.
Write every little thing – however slight it was.
Write what wasn’t perceived as well as what was perceived, especially for the “key words.” (i.e., “No hop aroma”, “No astringency”, etc.)
Use as many colorful, descriptive words as you can muster. The more you write, the more likely you'll match some of the perceptions of the proctors
Use real descriptors - i.e. "Dark Brown to Ruby" instead of "Dark", "Head pours full,
gradually dissipates" instead of "Good head"
There's an element of luck here, as you're trying to match what the proctors perceive.
Risky Tip: If you know the proctors, recall other judging experiences you've had with them. For example, if you know that a specific judge picks up diacetyl at 0.005 parts per million,
be sure to mention Diacetyl in your descriptions....
C. DESCRIPTIVE ABILITY (120 points total – 20 points per beer)
Talk about EACH element of the beer: Malt, Water, Yeast, and Hops (bittering, flavor and
aroma) in each section where it's appropriate, as well as the balance between them.
Don’t forget: hops have three purposes: Bitterness, Flavor and Aroma - talk about each!
It’s useful to talk about the lack of a descriptor also (i.e., “No floral hop aroma” for a Bohemian pilsner would be an objective, and telling statement)
Throw in a couple of factoids that show you understand what that world-beer style is
supposed to taste like (i.e., in the Overall section, write "Try adding some Lyle's Golden
Syrup to create the toffee-like character normally found in an English Bitter....), etc.
Avoid words like "Nice", "Good", "Appropriate to Style"
Use instead colorful, evocative language, i.e. "Tan to Brown head, thick and moussy, tiny bubbles, very slowly dissipates to a fine film on the surface"
Don't forget to comment on sweet-bitter balance
Use DESCRIPTIVE, colorful words for sensations: color, viscosity, smell, taste, feel.
NOT: “Nice”, “Good” or “Appropriate to Style”
Quantify the intensity of the flavor component, ie. “low”, “medium”, or “high.” IE:
APPEARANCE: instead of “Nice Head”…
Huge, creamy tan to brown head, tiny bubbles, dissipates gradually. Lace clings to the side of
glass. Garnet to Black color, almost opaque. Brilliantly clear.
AROMA: instead of “Good Aroma”…
Bready malt aroma, fruity raisin notes. Spicy hop nose lingers. Some alcohol scent.
FLAVOR: instead of “Great Flavor”…
Rich chocolate and roast malt flavor, with dark fruit overtones. Hop flavor subdued with faint
citrus notes, but firm hop bitterness provides balance for huge malt bill, towards the malt side.
Slightly medicinal, “Chloraseptic”-like taste very slight, in background.
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MOUTHFEEL: instead of “Big Body”…
Thick, chewy body, like a loaf of rye bread in a glass. Creamy, not oily sensation going down.
Alcoholic warmth spreads like a fire in my belly. Some astringency, but the sensation is probably
hop-based rather than tannin-based.
OVERALL: instead of “Good beer!”… (OK, but don’t stop there!)
Good Beer! Chocolate and roast malt comes through strong; base malt provides a solid
framework. Hop bitterness was to balance, but the use of citrus hops (Cascades?) is inappropriate
for a Russian Imperial Stout. Use English flavor and finishing hops instead. Slight medicinal
flavor may indicate sanitation or rinsing issue. If using bleach, be sure to RINSE WELL!
D. FEEDBACK (120 points total – 20 points per beer)
Did you tell the brewer how you enjoyed their beer? (hint: use the score guidelines, and make sure your enjoyment word matches your score - i.e., Outstanding=45-50, Excellent=38-44, Very
Good-30-37, Good=21-29, Fair=14-20, or Problematic-0-13)
Did you give the brewer at least one specific suggestion to improve the beer? (Hint: You’d
BETTER, unless you scored the beer a perfect 50!)
The lower the score you gave, the more suggestions you should offer!
Did you give at least 2-3 specific suggestions for improvement on each beer? Did you score the beer 13 or higher? (For the purposes of the test, DON'T give a beer below 13, no
matter how bad it is!)
Did you say something positive and encouraging?
E. COMPLETENESS (120 points total – 20 points per beer)
Did you fill out all the sections?
Was each section jam-packed with stuff?
Did you fill out the Style Grid?
Did you total your score correctly?
Did you PRINT LEGIBLY??
Did you PRINT? (Don't use cursive!)
Did you leave any whitespace?
Did you comment on all key-words beneath main sections?
Did you total your scores accurately? (Simple calculators are ok to use on the test!)
It is important that you FINISH each of the six score sheets! Since this is a timed test, it means you
must complete each score sheet in about 15 minutes – roughly the amount of time you’ll have to judge a
beer and fill out a score sheet in a competition scenario. USE A WATCH, and when 15 minutes goes
by, move on to the next beer – or the next question on your test. If you have extra time at the end of the test, you may come back to the score sheets and add more to them.
PRACTICE THIS before undertaking the test! Time yourself as you fill out ten or twelve score sheets
in your preparation for the test. Keep them, and compare your first one to your last one to check your
improvement.
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APPENDIX – Sample Text Questions
This section contains sample questions, and the blank grid in which you may write your answer. NOTE:
The exam will NOT give you these grids! If you wish to use the grid and bullet system to structure your
answers, you will have to create the grid yourself prior to writing your answers. If you have studied the
BJCP EXAM FOR DUMMIES well, this should be second nature to you by now.
APPENDIX – Sample Text Questions ....................................................................................................... 41
SECTION 1. (BJCP/ETHICS/JUDGING PROCESS) ....................................................................... 42
SECTION 2 (STYLES/BREWING TECHNIQUES) ......................................................................... 488
S.0. Describe and differentiate beers from similar styles .................................................................... 48
T.1. Describe and discuss the following beer characteristics. ............................................................. 49
T.3. What are body and mouthfeel? ..................................................................................................... 50
T.4. Discuss hops ................................................................................................................................. 51
T.8. Discuss the importance of water characteristics........................................................................... 52
T.9. Describe the brewing techniques. A) Kräuesening B) Adding Gypsum C) Fining. .................. 53
T.10. What is meant by the terms "hot break" and "cold break"? ......................................................... 54
T.11. Describe and explain the role of diastatic and proteolytic enzymes ............................................ 55
T.13. Explain what happens during the mashing process ...................................................................... 56
T.14. Provide a complete ALL-GRAIN recipe ..................................................................................... 57
T.15. This question addresses two separate ingredients, malt and yeast. ............................................ 58
COMBINED Possible (named) Section II Beers (64 beers) ..................................................................... 59
(Named) Beers/Meads/Ciders that WON'T be on the (ESSAY) test (33): ................................................ 60
Sample Lined page for exam ..................................................................................................................... 61
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SECTION 1 (BJCP/ETHICS/JUDGING PROCESS)
Part 2. Judging Process & Ethics
For the following 20 questions circle the “T” if the statement is true or circle the “F” if the statement
is false. There are no points for these, but there is a 0.5 point deduction for each question
unanswered or answered incorrectly, for a maximum of a 10 point deduction.
No. Choice Question
1 T / F A competition organizer may serve as the judge director and may also serve as a judge provided this person has no knowledge of the association between entries and entrants.
2 T / F A competition’s judge director may serve as a judge provided this person has no knowledge of the association between entries and entrants.
3 T / F A competition organizer may serve as the judge director provided this person has no knowledge of the association between entries and entrants.
4 T / F A competition’s judge director may not serve as a judge even if this person has no knowledge of the association between entries and entrants.
5 T / F A competition organizer may not serve as a judge even if this person has no knowledge of the association between entries and entrants.
6 T / F A competition’s judge director may serve as the competition organizer and may also serve as a judge provided this person has no knowledge of the association between entries and entrants.
7 T / F An individual with knowledge of the association between entries and entrants may not serve as a judge.
8 T / F
A member of the competition staff with access to information that associates entries with entrants may serve as a judge provided this person has no knowledge of the association between entries and entrants.
9 T / F The “head” judge at a table should try to tutor apprentice or lower-rank judges if time permits.
10 T / F The steward at the table has sole responsibility for completing the Cover Sheets for beers in each flight.
11 T / F The “head” judge at the table has sole responsibility for completing the Cover Sheets for beers in each flight.
12 T / F The “head” judge at a table should fill out Cover Sheets for beers in his or her flight as directed by the competition management.
13 T / F The “head” judge at a table has no responsibility for filling out Cover Sheets for beers in his or her flight unless directed to do so by the competition management.
14 T / F
The “head” judge at the table has sole responsibility for completing the Cover Sheets for beers in each flight but with the agreement of the steward may delegate the completion of the Cover Sheets to the steward.
15 T / F The “head” judge with the agreement of the steward may delegate filling in of the Cover Sheets for beers in his or her flight to the steward.
16 T / F
There is no need for the “head” judge to complete the Flight Summary Sheet - the competition organizer can obtain all that information from the cover sheets. But the competition organizer can NOT receive judging experience points if they serve as a judge.
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17 T / F If possible there should be at least one BJCP-ranked judge in every flight.
18 T / F When Non-BJCP judges evaluate entries in a competition each Non-BJCP judge should be paired with a BJCP judge.
19 T / F Non-BJCP judges may only evaluate entries if authorized by the judge director and Non-BJCP judges should be paired with BJCP judges when possible.
20 T / F To reduce stray odors and flavors present beverages and foods other than water bread or crackers should not be brought to the judging table.
21 T / F It is acceptable to bring food items other than bread crackers and water to the judging table.
22 T / F You must filter out strong scents from fellow judges or the environment from your mind rather than discussing the problem with the competition organizer.
23 T / F Strong scents from the environment or other judges or stewards should be brought to the attention of the competition organizer.
24 T / F Because entries cannot have any identifying marks, it is OK for a judge to judge beers in a category he or she has entered.
25 T / F If a judge is assigned to judge a category that he/she has entered, that judge should ask the competition organizer to reassign him/her to another category.
26 T / F
If a judge is assigned to a category that he or she has entered, the judge should go ahead and evaluate the entries in that category without notifying the judge director or competition organizer.
27 T / F Judges should not review the style being judged from the BJCP Style Guidelines while at the judging table prior to judging that style.
28 T / F Judges may invite stewards to taste the beers in a flight, if there's enough sample to share.
29 T / F It is acceptable to change the order in which you judge the beers on your flight sheet from how it was printed.
30 T / F Beers must be evaluated in the sequence specified on the flight sheet.
31 T / F If you have eaten spicy or greasy food within a few hours prior to judging you should use mouthwash or antiseptic rinse before judging.
32 T / F You should avoid eating spicy or greasy food within a few hours prior to judging.
33 T / F Spicy or greasy foods should be avoided prior to a judging event because they can reduce a judge's sensitivity to the aromas and flavors of beer.
34 T / F Perfumed shampoos and colognes should be avoided prior to a judging event because they can reduce a judge's sensitivity to the aromas of beer.
35 T / F It is a good idea to take a decongestant prior to a judging event to increase your sensitivity to the aromas of beer.
36 T / F Calibrations beers are selected to be the standard against which entries should be judged.
37 T / F It is the responsibility of the “head” judge, in consultation with the other judges in a flight, to assign a consensus score to each entry.
38 T / F It is not necessary for scores produced by the judges on a panel to be within seven points (or less if directed by the competition director) of each other.
39 T / F After discussing the initial scores, judges should adjust their final scores to be within seven points (or less if directed by the competition director).
40 T / F Judges must adjust their scores to be within seven points (or less if directed by the competition director) of each other as part of developing a consensus score for the beer.
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41 T / F The consensus score assigned to the beer is not necessarily an average score.
42 T / F When judging, It is important to evaluate entries quickly and also complete the score sheets thoroughly and completely..
43 T / F On average, experienced judges should be able to completely evaluate a beer, including arriving at a consensus, in 10 minutes.
44 T / F When there is a discrepancy in the scores for a given beer, the lower-ranked judges should yield to the opinion of the highest ranked BJCP judge at the table.
45 T / F It is acceptable to remove offensive smelling entries from the judging table after they have been evaluated.
46 T / F A judge must disqualify an entry if the bottle has raised lettering or the cap has identifying marks.
47 T / F A judge may disqualify an entry if it has an improper bottle or cap. 48 T Only the judge director or competition organizer can disqualify an entry.
49 T / F The results of the bottle inspection does not affect the scoring.
50 T / F Snide or rude comments are unacceptable on scoresheets.
51 T / F Pour each entry in a manner that gives it its optimum appearance, keeping in mind that some entries may be over- or under-carbonated.
52 T / F When you suspect an entry has been placed in the wrong flight based on the style being judged, you should request that it be judged in a different flight instead.
53 T / F When you suspect an entry has been placed in the wrong flight based on the style being judged, you should consult with the judge director or competition organizer.
54 T / F Sniff the entry immediately after pouring to ensure proper evaluation of volatile aromatics.
55 T / F There is no need to sniff the aroma immediately after pouring the entry into the glass.
56 T / F Judges should complete the evaluation of each entry before moving on to the next.
57 T / F It is not necessary to offer any feedback for improvement if you score a beer above 40.
58 T / F It is common practice to refrain from sharing your thoughts while judging a beer until the other judges have completed their scoresheet.
59 T / F If you are very familiar with a beer style, it is preferable to disregard the BJCP Style Guidelines and rely on your personal expertise instead.
60 T / F If rushed, it's acceptable to write only comments and an overall score on a scoresheet, leaving the scores for the subsections blank.
61 T / F If rushed, it's acceptable to write only 1-2 comments on a scoresheet as long as the numeric score is filled out.
62 T / F If a beer is a “gusher” or has an unpleasant aroma upon opening, a judge may assign a courtesy score of 13 without tasting and commenting on the characteristics of the beer.
63 T / F All beers should be tasted and scored, even if they are “gushers” or have an unpleasant aroma upon opening.
64 T / F It is appropriate to penalize the entrant if the beer is not served at the proper temperature.
65 T / F If the beers are not served at the proper temperature, judges should work with the competition staff to resolve the problem.
66 T / F In each section of a scoresheet, you should only comment upon the most prominent features of each entry, not subtle characteristics.
67 T / F Judges' comments must not include phrases like “if you used ..”
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68 T / F Judges' comments must not include phrases like “did you ..”
69 T / F Judges' comments must include a complete evaluation of the sensory aspects of the entry and how those aspects relate to the style guidelines.
70 T / F Judges' comments should be constructive and reflect knowledge of the brewing, fermentation, bottling, and handling process
71 T / F Judges' comments need to provide information on how to improve the entry as warranted.
72 T / F Scores should not be assigned to the aroma section immediately because the entry's aroma profile may change over time.
73 T / F Each section must be scored with a number prior to writing any comments, to best capture your first impressions.
74 T / F To assure objectivity, you should never write your full name or put contact information on the scoresheet.
75 T / F You should write your full name and judging rank on each scoresheet.
76 T / F You should always fill out the “Style Scales” on the scoresheet, as a good check against your scores.
77 T / F You should use the “Overall Impression” section of the scoresheet to refer to how the entry compares to other entries in the flight.
78 T / F You should use the “Overall Impression” section of the scoresheet to comment on how much you enjoyed the entry or provide suggestions for how to improve the beer.
79 T / F A score in the "Outstanding" range is reserved for entries that not only lack flaws but also have the hard-to-define "extraordinary" character that great beers have.
80 T / F The courteous lower limit for scores assigned to "Problematic" beers is 6 points, with one point for each section of the scoresheet.
81 T / F The courteous lower limit for scores assigned to “Problematic” beers is 13 points.
82 T / F If judges require more pours than one bottle to judge an entry, the “head” judge should ask the steward to request a second bottle from the cellar master.
83 T / F It is preferable to use ink on scoresheets so that your scores and comments cannot be altered by contest personnel.
84 T / F It is preferable to use mechanical pencils, rather than wooden pencils, on scoresheets so that wood odors do not interfere with beer aromas.
85 T / F It is acceptable to request a second bottle to give the entry a fair chance at an accurate judging if a beer is a “gusher” or tastes infected.
86 T / F Entrants may contact the judge, the competition director, or their BJCP Regional Representative if they are dissatisfied with any aspect of their scoresheets.
87 T / F When your flight has finished, you should avoid having conversations that might distract other judges who have not yet finished their flights.
88 T / F When your flight has finished, it is acceptable to visit other flights still in progress to see how beers you have entered are faring.
89 T / F Because it may have been entered by a person in the room, it is polite to refrain from publicly deriding a “problem” beer that you have scored during a competition.
90 T / F Judges from outside the table should not be consulted on a beer unless the judges at the table cannot reach a consensus score, and then only if they all agree to the consultation.
91 T / F BJCP Apprentice judges have not yet taken the BJCP Beer Judging Exam.
92 T / F Novice is not an official BJCP judge rank.
93 T / F One can obtain the BJCP Recognized rank without acquiring judging experience points.
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94 T / F One can obtain the BJCP Recognized rank without acquiring non-judging experience points.
95 T / F To become a BJCP Certified judge, it is sufficient to pass the Entrance Exam, score at least 70% on the Beer Judging Exam and earn 5 judging points.
96 T / F To become a BJCP Certified judge, it is sufficient to pass the Entrance Exam, score at least 70% on the Beer Judging Exam and earn 5 experience points.
97 T / F The maximum score on the Beer Judging Exam for the BJCP Certified rank is 79%.
98 T / F To become a BJCP National judge, it is sufficient to score 80% on the Beer Judging Exam and accumulate 20 experience points.
99 T / F To become a BJCP National judge, it is sufficient to score 80% on the Beer Judging Exam and accumulate 20 experience points, with at least half of them from judging.
100 T / F One can obtain the BJCP National rank without acquiring judging experience points.
101 T / F One can obtain the BJCP National rank without acquiring non-judging experience points.
102 T / F BJCP Master judges must have a minimum score of 90% on the combined written and tasting exams and at least 40 judging points.
103 T / F BJCP Master judges must score at least 90% on the combined written and tasting exams and earn at least 50 experience points , with at least half of them from judging.
104 T / F The maximum score on the combined written and tasting exams for the BJCP National rank is 89%.
105 T / F BJCP Master judges must score at least 90% on the combined written and tasting exams and fulfill a Grand Master Service Requirement.
106 T / F BJCP Grand Master judges must score at least 95% on the combined written and tasting exams.
107 T / F BJCP Grand Master judges must score at least 90% on the combined written and tasting exams.
108 T / F Each additional BJCP Grand Master level requires an additional 100 experience points.
109 T / F BJCP Honorary Grand Master judges do not have to take the BJCP exam.
110 T / F The BJCP Honorary Grand Master rank is bestowed upon professional brewers when they judge at homebrew competitions.
111 T / F Honorary Master is a temporary rank bestowed on operatives of the BJCP.
112 T / F The BJCP Grand Master rank requires the same minimum score on the combined written and tasting exams as the Master rank.
113 T / F The BJCP Grand Master rank requires the same minimum experience points as the Master rank.
114 T / F The only difference in requirements between the BJCP Master and Grand Master ranks is that the Grand Master rank requires a GMSR.
115 T / F Each BJCP Grand Master level has additional requirements for exam grading.
116 T / F A BJCP Grand Master Service Requirement can be fulfilled by grading exams.
117 T / F A BJCP Grand Master Service Requirement can be fulfilled by organizing competitions.
118 T / F A BJCP Grand Master Service Requirement can be fulfilled just by serving on the BJCP Board.
119 T / F At least one-half of the experience points required for any BJCP judge rank must be from judging.
120 T / F Judging at homebrew competitions is the only way to earn BJCP judging points.
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121 T / F BJCP judges can earn non-judging experience points for participating in BJCP Continuing Education Program activities.
122 T / F Judging experience points can only be earned by judging in a competition or proctoring a BJCP exam.
123 T / F Stewards at homebrew competitions earn BJCP judging points if they taste the beers with the judges.
124 T / F Stewards at homebrew competitions earn BJCP experience points.
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SECTION 2 (STYLES/BREWING TECHNIQUES)
S.0. For each of the three styles [A, B, and C] provide a statement describing the styles as well as
the difference and similarities between the styles by addressing each of the following topics:
1.
8 points Describe the aroma, appearance, flavor and mouthfeel of each sub-style as in the BJCP Style
Guidelines.
5 points Identify at least one aspect of the ingredients (malts, hops, water chemistry) or background
information (history, fermentation techniques and conditions, or serving methods) that
distinguishes each style.
2 points For each of the styles name at least one classic commercial example as listed in the BJCP
Style Guidelines.
5 points Describe the similarities and differences between the three styles
STYLE
AROMA
APPEARANCE
FLAVOR
MOUTHFEEL
DISTINGUISH
COMMERCIAL
SIMILARITIES
DIFFERENCES
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T.1.Describe and discuss the following beer characteristics. What causes them and how are they
avoided and controlled? Are they ever appropriate, and if so, in what beer styles?
6 points Describe each characteristic and how it is perceived.
8 points Identify the causes and controls for each characteristic.
6 points Identify appropriate/inappropriate styles.
1. 2. 3.
Describe/Discuss
How caused?
How avoided/
controlled?
Ever Appropriate?
If so, which Style?
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T.3. What are body and mouthfeel? Explain how the brewer controls body and mouthfeel in his/her beer? Cover the following topics:
10 points Describe Body and Mouthfeel.
10 points Explain how the brewer controls body and Mouthfeel.
Describe Causes and Controls
BODY
MOUTHFEEL
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T.4. Discuss hops, describing their characteristics, how these characteristics are extracted, and at
least four distinct beer styles with which the different varieties are normally associated. Address the
following topics:
6 points Describe hop characteristics.
6 points Discuss how hop characteristics are extracted.
8 points Identify associated beer styles.
Discuss hops:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Hop Characteristics How these characteristics are extracted
Hop Variety Country Characteristics Associated Style
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T.8. Discuss the importance of water characteristics in the brewing process and how water has
played a role in the development of at least four distinct world beer styles. Address the following
topics:
10 points Describe the importance of water characteristics in the brewing process.
10 points Describe the role in the development of at least four beer styles.
WATER TREATMENT METHODS
Method Importance
pH (Power of Hydrogen):
WATER TYPE pH
BEER STYLES
CITY BEER STYLE IMPORTANCE OF WATER
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T.9. Describe the brewing techniques. A) Kräuesening B) Adding Gypsum C) Fining. How do they
affect the beer?
10 points Discuss each characteristic.
10 points Identify their effect on the finished beer.
Describe Effect on Beer
Kräuesening
Adding Gypsum
Fining
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T.10. What is meant by the terms "hot break" and "cold break"? What is happening and why are
they important in brewing and the quality of the finished beer? Address the following topics:
6 points Describe each term.
6 points Identify what is happening.
8 points Describe why they are important in brewing and the quality of the finished beer.
Describe
What’s happening?
Why important in brewing and
beer quality?
Hot Break
Cold Break
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T.11. Describe and explain the role of diastatic and proteolytic enzymes in the brewing process and
how they affect the characteristics of the finished beer. Address the following topics:
10 points Describe and explain the role of diastatic and proteolytic enzymes in the brewing process
10 points Describe how the affect the finished beer.
Proteolytic Diastatic
Works on
Subset
Temperature
Describe/Explain
Effect on Beer
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T.13. Explain what happens during the mashing process, including times and temperatures as
appropriate. Describe three different mashing techniques and the advantages and disadvantages of
each. Address the following topics:
10 points Explain what happens in the mashing process, including times and temperatures as
appropriate.
6 points Identify and describe three mashing techniques.
4 points Describe the advantages and disadvantages of each.
A. Explain what happens during the mashing process, including times and temperatures as
appropriate.
Mashing Step Temperature Time Active
Enzymes
Description
B. Describe three different mashing techniques and the advantages and disadvantages of each.
Mash-Type Describe Advantages Disadvantages
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T.14. Provide a complete ALL-GRAIN recipe for a ________________________________,
including
2 points Target statistics (starting specific gravity, final specific gravity, and bitterness in IBUs or
HBUs) and color (as SRM or a textual description of the color)
4 points Batch size, ingredients (grist, hops, water, and yeast) and their quantities
7 points Mashing, boil, fermentation, packaging, and other relevant brewing procedures
7 points Explain how the recipe fits the style's characteristics for aroma, appearance, flavor, mouthfeel,
and other significant aspects of the style; and describe how the ingredients and processes used
impact this style.
1. OG:____________ 3. IBUs ___________
2. FG:____________ 4. SRM/Color________________________________________________
5. Batch Size _________ gallons
6. Grist: ( _____% efficiency) 7. Hops:
____lb _____________________ __oz bittering: ___________ ____%AA _____min., 25%Util.
____lb _____________________ __oz flavor:_____________ ____%AA _____min., 5%Util.
____lb _____________________ __oz aroma:_____________ ____%AA _____min., 0%Util.
8. Water: ____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
9. Yeast: _____________________ variety, pitched post-chill, at _______ºF, aerated by______________
10. Mash: _______________________________________ technique
_________________ rest _______ºF _______________ minutes
_________________ rest _______ºF _______________ minutes
_________________ rest _______ºF _______________ minutes
Vorlauf: _____ minutes
Sparge/Lauter ______ºF, _______gallons, _______minutes
11. Boil/Chill:
Boil _____minutes, full rolling boil to facilitate hot break, adding hops according to schedule above.
Finings: ___________________, Added at _____minutes
Chill: Use __________________method to facilitate cold break, to _______ºF, prior to pitching yeast
12. Fermentation:
Primary: _____ºF, ______days
Diacetyl Rest: _____ºF, ______days
Secondary: _____ºF, ______days
13. Packaging:
Bottle Condition: ______cup priming sugar at bottling OR Keg with ______ volumes CO2 at kegging
14. Aroma:___________________________________________________________________________
15. Appearance: ______________________________________________________________________
16. Flavor:___________________________________________________________________________
17. Mouthfeel: ________________________________________________________________________
18. How ingredients/procedures impact the style: __________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
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T.15. This question addresses two separate ingredients, malt and yeast. Please provide the following
information in your answer: (1) Identifying and describing the different types of malts by their color
and the flavor they impart to the beer, and give at least four distinct styles with which specific malts
are associated. (2) Provide five distinct considerations in selecting the appropriate yeast strain for a
given beer style.
5 points Identify types of malt.
7 points Identify types of malt associated with at least four beer styles.
8 points Provide five distinct yeast strain selection considerations.
A. Identify and describe the different types of malts by their color and the flavor they impart to
the beer. Give at least four distinct styles with which specific malts are associated.
Identify Describe Color Flavor Styles
B. Provide five distinct yeast strain selection considerations.
Consideration Effect on Beer
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COMBINED Possible (named) Section II Beers (64 beers)
American Amber Ale
American Barleywine
American Brown Ale
American IPA
American Pale Ale
American Stout
American Wheat or Rye Beer
Baltic Porter
Belgian Blond Ale
Belgian Dark Strong Ale
Belgian Dubbel
Belgian Golden Strong Ale
Belgian Pale Ale
Belgian Tripel
Beliner Weisse
Bieré de Garde
Blonde Ale
Bohemian Pilsener
Brown Porter
California Common Beer
Classic American Pilsner
Classic Rauchbier
Cream Ale
Dark American Lager
Düsseldorf Altbier
Doppelbock
Dortmunder Export
Dunkelweizen
Dry Stout
Eisbock
English Barleywine
English IPA
Extra Special/Strong Bitter (English Pale Ale)
Flanders Red Ale
Flanders Brown Ale/Oud Bruin
Foreign Extra Stout
German Pilsner (Pils)
Gueuze
Imperial IPA
Imperial Stout
Irish Red Ale
Kölsch
Light American Lager
Maibock/Helles Bock
Mild
Munich Dunkel
Munich Helles
North German Altbier
North German Altbier
Northern English Brown
Oatmeal Stout
Oktoberfest/Mäerzen
Old Ale
Premium American Lager
Rauchbier
Robust Porter
Roggenbier (German Rye Beer)
Russian Imperial Stout
Saison
Schwarzbier
Scottish Export 80/-
Scottish Heavy 70/-
Scottish Light 60/-
Southern English Brown
Special/Best/Premium Bitter
Standard American Lager
Standard/Ordinary Bitter
Straight (Unblended) Lambic
Strong Scotch Ale
Sweet Stout
Traditional Bock
Vienna Lager
Weizen/Weissbier
Weizenbock
Witbier
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(Named) Beers/Meads/Ciders that WON'T be on the (ESSAY) test (33):
• Belgian Specialty Ale
• Fruit Lambic
• Fruit Beer
• Spice Herb Vegetable Beer
• Christmas/Winter Specialty Beer
• Other Smoked Beer
• Wood Aged Beer
• Specialty Beer
• Dry Mead
• Semi-Sweet Mead
• Sweet Mead
• Cyser
• Pyment
• Other Fruit Melomel
• Metheglin
• Braggot
• Open Category Mead
• Common Cider
• English Cider
• French Cider
• Common Perry
• Traditional Perry
• New England Cider
• Fruit Cider
• Applewine
• Other/Specialty Cider/Perry
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Sample Lined page for exam
Q#______, Page ___ of ____ Participant _______-____-____
Page ___ of ____